“Buying a home is the single largest investment that most people will make in their lifetime,” said Diane Roose, Vice President and Real Estate Loan Officer, “So it is important to take an honest look at your budget first to make sure you are fully prepared to buy a home.”

Preparation is key to navigating today’s market. As part of National Homeownership Month, Marion County Bank offers these tips to help households prepare for buying a home.

Review your finances. A thorough analysis of your financial situation is central to the decision to buy. Calculate all of your monthly expenses, in addition to your potential mortgage payment, homeowner’s insurance, taxes and condo fees. Factor in other obligations like car payments and credit card debt. Aim to keep the mortgage payment and all other obligations below 40 percent of your monthly income and stay within your budget when considering homes.

Check your credit score. Your credit history is an important factor when applying for a loan. Most lenders rely on the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) credit score when reviewing your loan application. The score reflects how well you manage your debt and is calculated using data from your credit report. A lower credit score may result in a higher interest rate on your loan. If your score is too low, you may not be approved for a loan at that time. There are a number of steps you can take to improve your credit score, including paying your bills on time, only opening lines of credit you need and keeping your credit card balances below half of your available credit. To learn more and get information about improving your credit score, visit www.myfico.com

Organize your finances. Getting a loan requires a few different documentations including, but not limited to, pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements that are less than 60 days old. Provide copies of additional monthly payments such as car loans, credit cards and student loans. You should also bring any additional information you think will help your banker positively evaluate your financial situation.

Factor in closing costs. Once you have found a home within your budget and agreed on a purchase price, there will be costs associated with closing the sale. These costs can vary and will depend on the purchase price and whether a real estate attorney or title/escrow company will be involved in the transaction. By law, lenders are required to give you a written estimate of closing costs within three days of accepting your loan application.

Home ownership is an exciting time and Marion County Bank is here to help you with your first home, upgrading or downsizing. Visit Diane Roose or Ryan Vos to get started with an application, or use the convenient online application available on our website, www.marioncountybank.com.